Islamic State Claim Responsibility For Melbourne Siege

Man faced court over terror plot

Terrorist group Islamic State is claiming responsibility for Monday's deadly Melbourne siege, that left two people dead and three police officers injured.

"The attack in Melbourne, Australia was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State in response to the call for targeting the subjects of the coalition states," the group's Amaq news agency said.

The attack is being blamed on Australia helping out the US-led coalition against the militant group.

Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating if the attack was terror related, with Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton confirming they were aware of the man behind the attack.

"The reasons for that are that this person has a background in relation to terrorism matters, albeit some years ago," he told Nine.

"He is someone certainly known to us from his background but certainly as of yesterday there wasn't anything that we had that suggested that he was planning on embarking on this, that this was anything more than a spontaneous act."

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Mr Ashton will hold a press conference at 8.30am on Tuesday to address fears of a terror link.